We always welcome a Letter to the Editor to share with our readers – unsurprisingly they don’t always reflect the views of this publication. If you have something you’d like to share, get in touch and of course, your considered comments are welcome below. This from a resident who prefers to remain anonymous.
OnTheWight will be contacting the relevant organisations for a response to the letter. Ed
There’s a shortage of social housing on the Isle of Wight and it’s particularly bad in rural areas.
Many young families are having to move away or wait years on Island Homefinder (the property search partnership between the Isle of Wight Council, Spectrum Housing Group, Southern Housing Group and Vectis Housing Association), before they are offered appropriate housing.
Rents are far too high and with fewer children living in villages, there is a threat to local village schools – forcing many classes to merge.
Available property put on open market
So when there are so few social houses in the rural areas, it’s unbelievable that when one eventually becomes available with a housing association, it’s put on the open market.
The criteria for applying – for a particular property I’ll use as an example – is the requirement to be earning approx. £14,000 a year or more.
Those working and earning less are not eligible. Neither are families on low incomes or in receipt of any benefit. If you cannot work due to ill health, or if you are disabled, you will not be considered, regardless of whether you have a local connection.
If you are elderly on state pension, you will not be considered, unless you have a private pension earning the £14,000 a year or more.
Advertised on Rightmove
These homes were once social houses, advertised on Island Homefinder and people could bid fairly based on their need.
The housing association first advertised this particular property I am aware of on Rightmove, saying they will prioritise those earning the required amount, but they refused to give an application to those listed in the categories above.
After just one day, after they’d received several applications, the advert was taken down from Rightmove. These applicants are charged £130 (non-refundable) for a credit check.
The advertised on Homefinder
The housing association then advertised the property on Island Homefinder, continuing to allow others to bid, I believe giving false hope, as the applications were already closed.
Having sent an email to that effect, the bidding is still supposed to be open on Homefinder and bidding closes this week.
There is no notification on the Homefinder site explaining it is actually already closed, only that they have advertised elsewhere.
Open market seems to take priority
The housing association, when asked, replied that only if those applications on the open market fail, will they then even consider those who have bid on homefinder, with the required income.
Is this the way housing associations are now choosing how to let their properties.
Is this fair?
From a concerned resident.
